California Grill PS For Wishes

WDWRLD

Active Member
We were planning to dine at CG when we go in June and was wondering if anyone knew what time for a ps we should try to get to see wishes while we dine.
 

Lauriebar

Well-Known Member
You need to find the park hours and the schedule for Wishes for the day you are dining at CG and then make the PS for about one to one and a half hours before it is going to begin.
 
Upvote 0

DLP Fan

Member
You can watch Wishes without having to dine there. I've gone up a few times when it was the old 'Fantasy in the Sky' fireworks and it was wonderful. If you go out on the roof you walkway you get the most fantastic view of the park. Its wonderful for those of us who can't quite afford a meal at the CG!!!!
 
Upvote 0

Lauriebar

Well-Known Member
DLP Fan said:
You can watch Wishes without having to dine there. I've gone up a few times when it was the old 'Fantasy in the Sky' fireworks and it was wonderful. If you go out on the roof you walkway you get the most fantastic view of the park. Its wonderful for those of us who can't quite afford a meal at the CG!!!!

I'm not sure if anyone who isn't eating at CG is allowed up to the top floor anymore. There is no elevator access without first checking in at the Cali Grill desk on the 4th floor. Just wanted to let you know so, that your night doesn't get ruined thinking that you could get up there without dining.
 
Upvote 0

ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
Don't do it !!!

Sorry for my negativism, but California Grill is my biggest rant for WDW. First for my neutral comment, Lauribar is right that the general population no longer has access to the top observation deck. Now, don't bother with CG, especially if you want to watch the fireworks. Everyone there expects to see them, they can only be seen from one side of the restaurant, and unless your timing is perfect, you may end up with a cold meal if you leave the table for the observation deck. This is the most overhyped restaurant and experience...well, next to Stitch. :lookaroun

If you do want to watch Wishes during dinner, consider O'hana or Narcoossee's. They are just as good, not as hyped and obnoxious and less expensive.

As was already said, make your's about 1 hour before the posted time.
 
Upvote 0

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
Got to disagree with you ClemsonTigger. Since they no longer allow anyone but restaurant patrons on the observation deck it is pretty much front row seating for everyone. Also if you let your server know that you want to watch the fireworks they will coordinate your meal around it. Sure it will take a little longer for dinner but it is well worth it. We had an unbelievably great experience there last December. The food was great and the service was beyond excellent.
 
Upvote 0

darrin933

New Member
I Was There New Years Week With My Girlfriend, We Checked In At The Counter And They Gave Us A Buzzer Pass When The Table Would Be Ready And That We Could Go To The Bar In The Cg And Wait. Wishes Came On We Walked Out On The Deck And Watched. Then Our Buzzer Went Off And We Ate. I Liked It And My Girlfriend Loved It!!!
 
Upvote 0

evanssc

Member
Master Yoda said:
Got to disagree with you ClemsonTigger. Since they no longer allow anyone but restaurant patrons on the observation deck it is pretty much front row seating for everyone. Also if you let your server know that you want to watch the fireworks they will coordinate your meal around it. Sure it will take a little longer for dinner but it is well worth it. We had an unbelievably great experience there last December. The food was great and the service was beyond excellent.


Did you have trouble getting PS for the time that you wanted?
 
Upvote 0

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
evanssc said:
Did you have trouble getting PS for the time that you wanted?
Not at all. We reserved about 30 days in advance. The cast member that we contacted to make the PS even looked up what time Wishes was on the particular evening we wanted to eat at CG.
 
Upvote 0

ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
On my two experiences, we got PS times we wanted, but once waited 40 minutes, the other nearly an hour (both times were before they moved checkin downstairs). The CM's at checkin were aloof and unapologetic (we tried to laugh it off as thematic for trendy NYC or LA spots). When we were seated, both times were on the far side of the room (good view of WL and TTA). Servers were superior and food was very good although delivery was uneven. There was no timing as far as fireworks...one time it was announced just as our entres were brought.

Servers were very apologetic and noticed servers at other tables were going through the same routine. [after the hour wait to be seated]I worked hard not to take it out on our server but did ask for the manager...who was surprisingly snippy. Got his manager who at least was professional and provided desserts on the house {which didn't matter as we were on a meal plan}

After the one experience I sent a letter with details, names, etc, got a response with a promise of a followup phone call which I never got.

Although I didn't enjoy it, the food was excellent, but there are just too many other good places to go for me to give this another chance.

OK, deep breath, rant finished.
 
Upvote 0

Buzzforprez

New Member
Had the same type of experience. Too crowded, too chaotic, food was good but strange (not a good place for kids to eat). Waiter very nice and apologetic, free flatbread, but overall felt like I was dining at a restaurant off property where they felt my money was not good enough. Nice place to visit, but I doubt that I would eat there again.

Oh, and if you do go, they seem to bring the food quicker if you draw inappropriate things on the table cloth (paper) but they slow down bringing the drinks if you continue.
 
Upvote 0

Slosh

New Member
California Grill is easily one of the best restaurants on property, and one of the best I've eaten at - however, you have to remember it is a real restaurant. If your reason for going there is watching fireworks and not the food, go somewhere else. The wait is (probably) so long because of all the families and couples who come in at 6 and camp out at their seats waiting for the fireworks to start. As for being kid-friendly, I did have a 14 year old with me the last time I went and he enjoyed it, but I doubt most kids will.
 
Upvote 0

Master Yoda

Pro Star Wars geek.
Premium Member
We did not have a problem with the kids at all. We took are 3 daughters 3, 11 and 13 and had a great time. Like every Disney restaurant they had the typical kids menu and they really loved the rice crispy sushi.
 
Upvote 0

Ashitaka

Active Member
I've eaten there three times and each time had a truly outstanding meal. Great service and wonderful food.

But be aware that not every table has a good view of the the fireworks. Make sure you are going there for a fine meal and not just for a place to view Wishes from. The fireworks are just an added bonus to your meal. If a good view of the fireworks from you table is important to you, show up early for your PS and politely ask at check-in for a table that has one. They'll do their best to get one for you (no guarantees though).

As for a PS time in order to watch the fireworks, I'd recommend an hour and a half before the scheduled time for Wishes. It may take around 20 minutes (sometimes more, sometimes less; still show up early anyways) from your time to seat you (have a drink at the bar while you wait). That gives you an hour or so for your meal. Fireworks are best over dessert and coffee. :slurp:
 
Upvote 0

jesserin

New Member
I've noticed that most of the complaints about CG were before they installed the new check in program... it's now quite calm and not chaotic at all. We just went there for my birthday last year and it was wonderful. We had a great view of the fireworks - most tables have at least some view and many have the "perfect" view... but we actually requested to be seated in the Winery... (back section) I've always loved the peace and quietness of that section - it's further away from the kitchen... and then we just stepped out onto the balcony to view the fireworks... it was beautiful and amazing... when we came back in our dessert was waiting for us on the table with a special Birthday Wish for me... :) This is a top notch restaurant and Disney has taken special care to insure that only paying customers enjoy the view and atmosphere... which makes for a really enjoyable time!
 
Upvote 0

WDWRLD

Active Member
Original Poster
We are deffinately going for the food, Ive been wanting to return to eat there since I went long ago when it was Top Of The World dinner show. I always thought it was so great to "eat at the top of the Contempary". I now have a 5 year old son and thought if we were going to be there we might as well see wishes from another view.
 
Upvote 0

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom